Leicester_H Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 We have a small (maybe 6 x 4 feet ??) pond, maybe 8 inches deep. It has a ramp so hedgehogs can escape. Will this be a problem for chickens ? Can they swim ? Do they like water ?? H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 They may drink from it from time to time. But I do not think it shall be of any risk to them. If you have a pond then maybe you could have a ducklu! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicester_H Posted March 12, 2007 Author Share Posted March 12, 2007 (edited) we did consider a ducklu, but thought the pond was too small - and we'd probably only let them out when we're around so might be a bit unfair on them Edited March 12, 2007 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin B Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 Well some people keep them in ponds much smaller than that. If you were at home quite often but sometimes they needed to be in a run then you could put a washing bowl in there full of clean water! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Budgies Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 Hi Hazel Chickens and water don't mix too well - their feathers aren't waterproof and so absorb water and become heavier. As your pond is relatively shallow, I wouldn't have thought it was possible for a chook to drown in it (although anything's possible if they have a mad moment! ) but I personally wouldn't want them getting wet all the time, particularly on cooler days as damp and cold chickens tend to get unwell. I think I'd personally consider fencing it off if the girls are free-ranging Sue Budgie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debbie Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 Hi Hazel I have a small pond in my garden, mine is a bit deeper though. Before the girls arrived I had problems with a Heron trying to take the fish. So what I did was to get some canes and placed them around the pond, I then got fishing line and run this around the canes at three different heights. Low middle and high. Because the line is almost clear its not too unsightly. It solved the problem of the Heron as they can't step over it and my girls are not encouraged to go in that part of the garden but if they do I feel a little more secure because its protected with the line and canes. Hopes this helps Debbie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted March 12, 2007 Share Posted March 12, 2007 we have a 10ft by 10ft pond in the garden with a bridge over it. No attempts at swimming yet from my girls, our pond is quite deep as we have carp in it. The girls love to cross the pond over the bridge I still like to keep an eye on them though as my girls are a little bit dippy sometimes, so I would recommend to keep an eye out for them now and again or maybe block the pond off somehow. We have logroll around the perimeter of the pond which discourages them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
